Hard to shift into reverse - '96 LT4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 285
Hard to shift into reverse - '96 LT4
Hi All:
I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this: I have a '96 LT4 CE with 13,500 miles on it. Sometimes when I shift into reverse, it's not really in reverse. The shifter looks like it's in place, but when I start to come off the clutch either of two things happen: I hear a grind and the shift lever pops forward, or nothing happens and I just roll. I then (in either case) wiggle the shift and put it into reverse. Are these cars (ZF 6 speeds) usually difficult to shift into reverse? All other gears act normal.
Thanks,
Trebor
I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this: I have a '96 LT4 CE with 13,500 miles on it. Sometimes when I shift into reverse, it's not really in reverse. The shifter looks like it's in place, but when I start to come off the clutch either of two things happen: I hear a grind and the shift lever pops forward, or nothing happens and I just roll. I then (in either case) wiggle the shift and put it into reverse. Are these cars (ZF 6 speeds) usually difficult to shift into reverse? All other gears act normal.
Thanks,
Trebor
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I've never experienced that with my ZF6
I wouldn't think this is a common problem. Something isn't right, because it shouldn't be doing that.
I wouldn't think this is a common problem. Something isn't right, because it shouldn't be doing that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Can't think of what it could be....but some questions. Is it also hard to shift into first from a stop? Is it hard to shift from 1 to 2 just after startup? Is it cold weather only when this happens? And btw, where are you (it'd be really helpful if you filled out your profile a bit, like a city, state, first name, etc.)?
Have you owned the car from new? Have you had trans fluid refilled? How about clutch fluid? Any leaks under the car? Are you hearing any throw out bearing type noise?
Have you owned the car from new? Have you had trans fluid refilled? How about clutch fluid? Any leaks under the car? Are you hearing any throw out bearing type noise?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
The First thing I would check is the clutch hydraulic system,the clutch master cylinder is located under the computer, by the battery. If it is low on fluid, you have a leak, which means the clutch is not being fully engaged. This will kill your transmisson very quickly. You should go to http://www.zfdoc.com and read up on the ZF transmisson and the problematic clutch hydraulic system. Lots of good info there, you should be able to figure out whats going on w/ your car. 
Good luck finding your problem, let us know what happens.
Randy
Good luck finding your problem, let us know what happens.
Randy
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
I have had the same problem, it is low on hydraulic fluid in the clutch master cylinder. Mine leaks so I have to check it every so often. Not hard to fix but removing the computer can be a pain sometimes.
